Mental health research in the Arab region: challenges and call for action

Maalouf, Fadi T.; Alamiri, Bibi; Atweh, Samir; Becker, Anne E.; Cheour, Majda; Darwish, Hala; Ghandour, Lilian; Ghuloum, Suhaila; Hamzé, Mouïn; Karam, Elie G.; Khoury, Brigitte; Khoury, Samia J.; Mokdad, Ali H.; Meho, Lokman I.; Okasha, Tarek; Reed, Geoffrey M.; Sbaity, Eman; Zeinoun, Pia; Akl, Elie A.

doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30124-5

Cited by 79 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The review conducted in the current study con rmed the claim by [53] that there is a dearth of literature on SBMHP for adolescents in LMICs. This nding is in line with other reviews undertaken in LMICs, which has been attributed to a dearth of professionals, acceptability of interventions [60][61], poor funding of mental health by LMICs and a shortage of open access publications [60,62,63]. The nding of this current study agrees with the nding of [52] which supports the need for developing culturally responsive and comprehensive mental health programs for schools in LMICs, advocating for more funding of mental health programs for adolescents by LMICs and undertaking more school-based mental health research by professionals.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The modules of mental health programs implemented in schools in low- and middle-income countries: Findings from a systematic literature review

Gimba

Harris

Saito

et al. 2020

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BackgroundSecondary schools in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) provide health promotion, preventive, and early intervention services. Nevertheless, literature indicates that the modules of these services are either adapted or modified from existing mental health programs in developed countries. The literature also highlights the provision of non-comprehensive services (mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention), in LMICs such as Nigeria. These findings inform the need for undertaking this systematic literature review. The aim of this review was thus to identify the modules of school-based mental health programs (SBMHP) that have been implemented in LMICs to guide the development of a culturally sensitive comprehensive mental health program for adolescents in a LMIC.MethodsThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used to guide this review. The following databases were searched in September 2018, to identify the relevant literature: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ERIC. The search was conducted by the first author and reviewed by the authors.ResultsFollowing the screening process, a total of 11 papers were identified and reviewed for quality. The systematic review highlighted that the mental health programs provided in schools included: an introduction module, a communication and relationship module, a psychoeducation module, a cognitive skills module, a behavioral skills module, establishing social networks for recovery and help seeking behavioral activities and a summary/conclusion module.ConclusionThis review sheds light on the characteristics of the programs in LMICs. Two programs were found to be universal in nature. Five programs were directed at key risk factors or at-risk groups, and four were early intervention programs. The review also revealed that only one program out of the 11 programs included modules for parents. The synthesis indicated that all the identified programs were adapted or modified from existing programs. The dearth of comprehensive programs in LMICs was also revealed. Lastly, the review revealed seven modules that can be useful for developing a SBMHP.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The modules of mental health programs implemented in schools in low- and middle-income countries: Findings from a systematic literature review

Gimba

Harris

Saito

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The review conducted in the current study indicated a dearth of literature on SBMHP for adolescents in LMICs. This nding is in line with other reviews undertaken in LMICs, which has been attributed to a dearth of professionals, acceptability of interventions [60][61], poor funding of mental health by LMICs and a shortage of open access publications [60,62,63]. This supports the need for developing culturally responsive, comprehensive and mental health programs for schools in LMICs, advocating for more funding of mental health programs for adolescents by LMICs and undertaking more school-based mental health research by professionals.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

The modules of mental health programs implemented in schools in low- and middle-income countries: Findings from a systematic literature review

Gimba

Harris

Saito

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Secondary schools in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) provide promotional, preventive, and early intervention services. Nevertheless, literature indicates that the modules of these services are either adapted or modified from existing mental health programs in developed countries. The literature also highlights the provision of non-comprehensive services (mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention), in LMICs such as Nigeria. These findings inform the need for undertaking this systematic literature review. The aim of this review was thus to identify the modules of school-based mental health programs (SBMHP) that have been implemented in LMICs to guide the development of a culturally sensitive comprehensive mental health program for adolescents in a LMIC. Methods The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used to guide this review. The following databases were searched in September 2018, to identify the relevant literature: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ERIC. The search was conducted by the first author and reviewed by the authors.Results Following the screening process, a total of 11 papers were identified and reviewed for quality. The systematic review highlighted that the mental health programs provided in schools included: an introduction module, a communication and relationship module, a psychoeducation module, a cognitive skills module, a behavioral skills module, establishing social networks for recovery and help seeking behavioral activities and a summary/conclusion module.Conclusion This review sheds light on the characteristics of the programs in LMICs. Two programs were found to be universal in nature. Five programs were directed at key risk factors or at-risk groups, and four were early intervention programs. The review also revealed that only one program out of the 11 programs included modules for parents. The synthesis indicated that all the identified programs were adapted or modified from existing programs. The dearth of comprehensive programs in LMICs was also revealed. Lastly, the review revealed modules that can be useful for developing a SBMHP.

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“…Indeed, to continue this growth, and make an evidenceinformed call for action, authors on this manuscript and other stakeholders, including Arab mental health researchers, institutional and funding agency officials, journal editors and international research collaborators, convened during the 49th Middle East Medical Assembly held at the American University of Beirut in April 2018. They discussed the current status of mental health research in the Arab region, the challenges to its enhancement, and subsequently proposed an action plan (24). The challenges identified included prevalent stigma and low awareness of mental health needs and services, conflict, and war that impede research, scarce institutional and funding resources, inadequate publishing opportunities, insufficient training in mental health research, and shortage of reliable and valid assessment tools.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The challenges identified included prevalent stigma and low awareness of mental health needs and services, conflict, and war that impede research, scarce institutional and funding resources, inadequate publishing opportunities, insufficient training in mental health research, and shortage of reliable and valid assessment tools. The authors proposed methods for addressing stigma and spreading awareness, increasing collaborative efforts, building research infrastructure, strengthening the mental health workforce, and translating research findings into a call to action on societal and governmental levels (24).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Arab Region's Contribution to Global Mental Health Research (2009–2018): A Bibliometric Analysis

et al. 2020

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Background: Mental health research output in the Arab region is increasing, yet little is known about its recent landscape. This study provides a bibliometric analysis of mental health research in all 22 Arab countries over the past decade. Method: We used 760 journals and numerous keywords to search for articles published between 2009 and 2018 by individuals affiliated with institutions located in the Arab region. We analyzed data within Arab countries and between Arab and non-Arab countries. Results: We found that research output in the Arab world has increased by almost 160% in the past ten years, in comparison to 57% for the rest of the world. The quality of publications has also steadily improved, and so did international collaboration. Despite the progress, the number of articles per capita remains remarkably lower for the Arab world compared to the rest of the world. Also, the majority of articles continue to emanate from a limited number of countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon) and institutions within these countries. Mental health research topics in the Arab region are similar to those found in low-and middle-income countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Conclusion: The region needs to invest more in mental health research to close the gap with other medical and healthcare research areas and with the rest of the world. The region also needs to increase its international collaboration and research training to produce higher-quality studies, attract more funding, and publish more in top journals. As the region's population continues to face increasing trauma as a result of war and terrorism, among others, the field is afforded an opportunity to establish a major standing in the healthcare domain. Researchers are uniquely poised to use their body of research evidence to effectively help people reengage with their environments and return to daily life activities.

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Mental health research in the Arab region: challenges and call for action

Cited by 79 publications

References 25 publications

The modules of mental health programs implemented in schools in low- and middle-income countries: Findings from a systematic literature review

The modules of mental health programs implemented in schools in low- and middle-income countries: Findings from a systematic literature review

The modules of mental health programs implemented in schools in low- and middle-income countries: Findings from a systematic literature review

The Arab Region's Contribution to Global Mental Health Research (2009–2018): A Bibliometric Analysis

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